Rein, 76, drove a prisoner transport van when Mazza overpowered him in a Pompano Beach parking lot and fatally shot the deputy with his own gun, authorities say.

In a videotaped confession, Mazza said he acted in self defense.

Backman ordered Mazza's 30-year sentence to follow a life sentence for another bank-robbery conviction. That conviction is currently on appeal.

If convicted of the deputy's slaying, Mazza could be sentenced to death.

One of Mazza's attorneys, Assistant Public Defender H. Dohn Williams, said he and his client made a decision to plead to the robberies to avoid the disclosure of further evidence that might adversely affect the murder case.

Williams described Mazza as a polite and courteous client.

"The Michael that you encounter in a one-on-one situation is not the Michael that you read about," Williams.

Tonya Alanez can be reached at tealanez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4542.